Originally Posted by patrick_y

I think that's a given. In fact, (and sorry to come from a negative perspective) they should have checked the brakes before they sold you the car in part of their 100+ point inspection list.

Make sure that you grind that dealer up, complain, be unhappy, etc. See if they give you anything else.

Originally Posted by Untouchable08

I had driven the car for about 5-6k miles when i went back. Anways the point is that most dealers that i have dealt with can be really big *******s about it and try everything to make you pay for them, with them i just made a call and it was done. They even came to me to pick up and dropp off. I guess i should say the customer serivce is great then? lol They were suppose to change the whole brake system but looks like they just changed pads and now after 1k miles the rotors have gotten worn out and they are coming tommorow to pick up and fix it so im pretty happy with the customer service. For service A and B i had a friend do it who use to work for mercedes dealership and now has his own place.....that saves alot of money.

Originally Posted by Untouchable08

I don't remember when i changed them the first time... Its funny though the 2006 was only 4k more if i bought new..but i had to get the Kompressor =\. When you change rotors you have to change pads....so my dealer is giving me a break...really nice guy. Next time i will have my friends change them for me just pay the 500 or so in parts.

Originally Posted by patrick_y

Yes, it's definitely not a respected job, and I don't think I'd want to be in such a position.

Regarding the techs, I think they make more than $30 an hour. From my understanding, the detail boys already make $12 an hour.

I don't understand, what does the GM do? They don't seem to do very much. Personally, I wouldn't mind to buy into a partnership at a dealership.

I used to be neighbored with the former owner of my local Mercedes, BMW, Porsche dealership. He sold the BMW dealership to Autonation Corporation a few years ago for cash and stock. Supposedly, from what I hear from the other sales agents, he made nearly 100M before taxes on that single BMW dealership after he sold the stock (which he had to hold on for a year in which it substantially increased in value). Recently, he has retired and unloaded the Mercedes and Porsche dealership to Fletcher Jones. I imagine him to be a very wealthy man.

Also, a new dealership was started about two years ago in the neighboring town of San Jose, CA. The acquisition of the land (in not the most desirable location), the construction of the buildings, and etc (without inventory) supposedly cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $35M. Supposedly, the dealership is for sale today because its sales are not as strong as previously forecasted.

Personally, I believe that I'd enjoy the job of working at a dealership, but not as a salesman. I believe that there should be some sort of new dealership concept; one person who is not commission based doing the selling, and another salaried person filling out the paperwork for sold cars. Obviously, this wouldn't work, but this would be ideal. All you get nowadays at the dealership are sales agents that know less about the cars than we do.

Originally Posted by patrick_y

Do you mean when you change pads, you have to change rotors?

I knew it always went the other way around.

But since I replace both of them at the same time (at least that's what I'm expecting the dealer to tell me to do), I guess it doesn't matter to me.

In your case, I might've just gone with the 06. The 05 isn't necessarily better than the 06. I don't think it's any worse either. But for a $4k difference, a brand new car sounds much more attractive (assuming that you're getting the same equipment).

Originally Posted by patrick_y

...Personally, since I'm too young to qualify for the loaner car, I unfortunately have to wait at the dealership until my car is finished (usually I get priority so it's not too long of a wait) or I have to take the shuttle. What I really would appreciate is if the dealer would come to my home and pick up the car...

Originally Posted by ALPHA

I think you hit the nail on the head, locally ,there are a couple dealerships that have salaried positions out front and in service... there is quite a difference in the level of service, in that they seem to concentrate on what is really needed w/o the push to buy/sell .... but then again, the dealership would have to pick their employees , wouldn't want someone to get lazy... lol

A

Originally Posted by ffejalink

I used to have this same issue. Luckily my salesman was nice enough to loan me his car for the day so I didn't have to wait. He was a great guy; I was sad to see him go. It's difficult to find a good sales rep. But on the flip side, he went into the home mortgage business and he did a great job for me there as well. :-)

Originally Posted by megabuck2

Just purchased a preowned MB e320 for my dad. Purchase price was ideal but the cost of the upkeep seems steep. Own Acura MDX, dealer serviced but no where near MB.
Does anyone have any recommendation for a local shop that could take care of the MB...great service with good price?

Thanks,

Mike

Originally Posted by patrick_y

Well, I'll be darned. I really think the salesmen here are not that great. They make you buy something you don't need and they take your money and never give anything back to you.

Now, my local dealership does "try" (a vain effort) to give back to the community by providing free car washes to its clients.

But, what I really want is a track day. They ought to organize a track day for their Porsche and Mercedes 500-600 series and AMG car clients.

Originally Posted by patrick_y

First of all, for a new guy on the forums, congratulations on using the search feature properly.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area could be a lot of places for example Tampa Bay Area (Florida) and are near Silicon Valley, I go to Fletcher Jones Motor Cars in Fremont. Excellent and experienced service. Let me know if you need a referral, my service agent is helpful and knowledgeable.